Mentee Workbook
Contents
Overview………………………….……….…………………….………..3
Priorities for Development……….………………………….……………4
Writing Effective Objectives………………..…..………………………...6
Statement of Objectives
Worksheet……………………..………………………...………………..7
Mentoring Action Plan
Example…………….…………………………………………….………8
Progress Measures………………...……………………….……………10
Mentoring Action
Plan…………………………………………….……………………...…11
Progress Check Sheet…………………………………………….……..13
2
Overview
Welcome to the “Mentee Workbook”. The purpose of
this workbook is to help you build your mentoring
development plan.
After completing this workbook you will have a
detailed action plan for your chosen mentoring topic
and be prepared to obtain support for your plan.
Keep an Open Mind
As you work through the sheets on the following pages,
keep an open mind. This is a time to explore new
possibilities, and to take initiative in creating your
future. This workbook is a tool which will help you to
clearly focus on your mentoring goal.
3
Priorities for Development
Where will you focus your mentoring efforts?
Take a few minutes to consolidate your thoughts and
identify your priorities for your personal/professional
development.
Desired Skill Development/Development Needs
Write the technical or career skill(s) you would like to
develop below (this should reflect the topic you chose on
your original application to become a mentee)
Example: Develop presentation skills
Example: Acquire improved ways of working with
colleagues
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
4
Priorities for Development
cont…
What specific skills/attitudes would help you achieve
your desired goal?
Example: (1) better communication
(2) greater self esteem/confidence
(3) better understanding of subject
material of presentation
1.
2.
3.
5
Writing Effective
Objectives
A key step in developing your mentoring goal is to convert your priorities
into an effective objective. An objective is a desired outcome, target or
result. It states simply what you want to achieve, but it does not describe
the tasks or activities that you undertake to achieve it.
When writing objectives, begin each with an action word such as evaluate,
investigate, eliminate, inform, reduce, restrict, increase, achieve, gain or
produce.
Examples: Develop a wider perspective on the Institution and it’s mission.
Enhance Power Point skills
Develop techniques to raise self esteem/confidence
Try to ensure that your mentoring goal(s) meet the following criteria:
ACTION SPECIFIC
Your objective should include a specific action
you will take
IMPORTANT
It should be important to you and your
professional growth
MEASURABLE
Measures help define successful achievement.
Think of measures in terms of quality, quantity,
costs or timelines.
INSPIRING
Do you feel inspired by this objective? If not,
consider why not. You may want to refine it or
even develop another objective.
DOABLE
Your objective must be challenging but doable. If
you have doubts, re-work it until it is doable.
6
Statement of Objectives
Worksheet
Using your desired mentoring topic (on page 4)
together with the specific skills that you listed (on page
5), write an effective objective statement that sets out a
clearly defined and achievable goal.
Example: Obtain guidance about career steps for a
junior scientist juggling work/family
responsibilities
Example: Develop presentation skills and interact with
my audience to gain feedback and evaluative
information
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
7
Mentoring Action Plan
Example

Record your final mentoring objective statement here.
Ensure it is action specific, important to you,
measurable, inspiring and doable.
Example:
Develop lab equipment sterilization skills and receive
feedback from peers.
When you achieve this objective, what will your
reward be and how will you benefit?
Example:
Increased job satisfaction, increased credibility with peers,
increased possibility to get promoted from lab assistant to
lab technician
Consequences if not achieved: If you do not achieve
it, what will the consequences be?
Example:
Lab prep skills remain unreliable, less exposure to areas
and skills that enhance my knowledge, less chance of
career advancement
8
Obstacles: List anything that could prevent you
from achieving your objective, and beside those
things, action steps that you will take to overcome
each obstacle.
Example Obstacles
Example Action Steps to
Overcome
1. Fear
1. Ask for feedback from peers
2. Lack of knowledge
2. Work alongside other Part
Time Helper to observe
procedure
3. Lack of time
3. Schedule dedicated time
each day (even if only 15
mins.) to work on skills
4. Lack of training
4. Find an expert, read a
manual, see your mentor
5. Sore hands from washing
beakers
5. Get thicker rubber gloves,
use hand cream
9
Progress Measures
Progress Measures: How will you and/or your
Mentor measure progress? By what date?
Example:
In the next six months, I will be able to completely
prepare a scientific lab/bench for the researchers
in my lab to be able to just walk into and begin
work, and I will have feedback from my
peers/supervisor/advisor confirming that I have
achieved this.
10
Mentoring Action Plan
1.
Record your final mentoring objective
statement/goal here. Ensure it is action specific,
important to you, measurable, inspiring and doable.
2.
Rewards: when you achieve this objective, what
will your reward be and how will you benefit?
3.
Consequences if not achieved: If you do not achieve
it, what will the consequences be?
11
4.
Obstacles: List anything that could prevent you from
achieving your objective, and beside those things,
action steps that you will take to overcome each
obstacle.
Obstacles
Action Steps to Overcome
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
4.
4.
5.
5.
12
Mentee Action Plan
Progress Check Sheet
Use this optional check sheet to track your progress at your
mentor/mentee meetings, or for your own personal notes
Check Progress Notes
Consider what progress you have made toward your objective.
1.
What have you done well in working toward your objective?
2.
What haven’t you done well? Where is improvement needed?
3.
List any revisions or mid-course corrections to your objectives.
4.
Next steps: how will you measure progress between now and the end of
the program?
5.
Progress Measures. How will you and/or your Mentor measure
progress? By what date?
13